SUPERVISORS TO APPOINT MEDICAL POT TASK FORCE

EUREKA -- A task force that will help Humboldt County officials find
consensus on a medical marijuana ordinance is expected to be appointed
by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

The board will choose from a list of 15 applicants, who range from
Chief Probation Officer Bill Burke to Ken Miller, an area physician.
Other applicants include medical marijuana patients, caregivers and
representatives from schools. Supervisors Roger Rodoni and John
Woolley will also sit on the task force.

Earlier this year the board considered passing an ordinance that
effectively would recognize District Attorney Paul Gallegos'
guidelines, which allow patients to possess up to 3 pounds of
processed marijuana per year, and 99 plants, or whatever will fit
within a 100-square-foot vegetative canopy.

But the board decided to appoint a task force after coming under
criticism from law enforcement and school officials, both of whom
believe such guidelines are too permissive.

The task force is expected to report back to the board with
recommendations within 90 days.